Craig Kapitan is a Senior Multimedia Journalist for New Zealand's Herald, with extensive experience reporting on crime, navigating courtrooms, and supervising other crime and courts reporters.
I started my newspaper career in 2000 and have spent the majority of my time since then navigating courtrooms in the United States and New Zealand or supervising other crime and courts reporters. Along the way, I’ve covered the trials of a military base mass shooter, gang hitmen, rogue police officers and prison guards and more murder and death penalty cases than I can recall. Non-courtroom assignments have included rushing to a small Texas town where remnants of Nasa’s Columbia space shuttle rained down after its explosion, coverage of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, a one-on-one interview with former US President George Bush Sr and a surreal ride in Chuck Norris' ute during which I quizzed the actor about his favourite Chuck Norris jokes. Some of my proudest moments in journalism include an investigative series that helped result in the criminal conviction of a judge and a 20,000-word, four-part story about a decorated police officer whose life was nearly destroyed by PTSD after serving as a sniper in Iraq. The later series resulted in a 2008 Livingston Award, which dubs itself the Pulitzer Prize for reporters under 35. I tied in the ‘excellence in national reporting’ category with The New York Times’ CIA reporter. I studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked for newspapers in San Francisco and Texas before moving to Auckland in 2015. I spent six years in the TVNZ newsroom before starting at that Herald in 2021.
‘My dad scares me’: Life sentence for man who stabbed ex to death with their 6yo in house
He attacked after she accused him of selling their child's Nintendo.
'Peaceful' murder defendant who kicked, stomped man's head with full force says he meant no harm
Christopher Salt said he thought the victim was a 501 who had a gun. Neither was true.
Brian Tamaki walks free on Covid-19 protest charges
Brian and Hannah Tamaki have been on trial alongside two other church members for weeks.
Man who stabbed witness prior to trial now says he was hearing voices - judge rejects claim
Kevin Marshall said he would decapitate his ex so she couldn't give evidence.
'Blatantly crossed a line': Judge rejects tomato juice protester's conviction appeal
Others must be deterred from using physical attacks as a form of protest, the judge said.
King Cobra jailed 18 years, despite brain tumour, for airport meth scheme
Nigel Iuvale lured Auckland Airport baggage handlers into the criminal underworld.
Jury rejects 16yo's self-defence claim after plunging knife into schizophrenic stranger's neck
But the group also rejected a murder finding.
Gang war blunder: Killer Beez members admit firing into home with sleeping infant, 8yo boy
The rival gang member they wanted to target no longer lived there.
Coward punch, fatal head stomps: Trial begins for man who attacked darts opponent
Jurors were shown video of the attack caught on CCTV.
'Not once been caught': Gang associate who bragged about drug importation success is jailed
The former Head Hunters prospect found himself at the centre of a gang beef.
Teen describes moment he stabbed stranger's neck at Auckland bus stop
“Oh f***, that’s no good," he recalled thinking as blood started spurting.
Violent offender shanked four inmates during year-long prison stabbing spree
He's been in and out of adult prisons since age 13.
Police Commissioner's secret call with Brian Tamaki revealed at lockdown breach trial
Coster offered masks for Tamaki's protest, warned of backlash if rules were broken.
'Not a piece of meat to be cut': Man sentenced for brutal throat slashing of ex-wife
The attack lasted almost 8 minutes, with pauses to replace the knife blade.
Destiny Church leaders on trial, accused of defying Covid restrictions
The controversial religious figure risks up to six months' imprisonment if convicted.
Repeat offender prison-bound again after blasting hole in hotel room door
David Mane was already on parole for shooting a man in the stomach in Northland.
Return of the Tinder swindler: After prison, prolific scam artist picked up where he left off
Fraudster attends latest sentencing in construction get-up, saying he wants to work.
'No remorse': Grieving dad yells at drink driver who killed 14yo boy
Tere Moekore was four times over the limit when she hit Kaea Matau - and kept on driving.
Polkinghorne's blame game backfires as he returns to court after murder acquittal
Judge: There was no evidence at trial suggesting Pauline Hanna purchased or used meth.
Polkinghorne sentenced to 150 hours of community work for meth use
The surgeon sought to downplay his P usage, but it was a centrepiece of the Crown case.
'Brutal act': Drug-dealing duo left body to rot after Epsom motel attack
It was the second homicide one of the men had been linked to.
Tongan rugby team hires man who joined deadly attack on MMA fighter Fau Vake
Semisie Pomale was granted a discharge without conviction, in part because of his new job.
Fonterra manager guilty of manslaughter over meth-laced beer death
Aiden Sagala, 21, died after unknowingly drinking contaminated beer.
Meth-tainted beer trial: Manslaughter defendant’s kind nature led to tragic mix-up, lawyer says
Aiden Sagala overdosed after he drank a beer given to him by the defendant.
Watch: Honey Bear meth beer manslaughter defendant caught on camera handling deadly product
Aiden Sagala, 21, suffered a fatal overdose after unknowingly drinking liquid meth.
Ex-MP loses appeal for $9k shoplifting spree, conviction to stand
Judge: 'Consequences of conviction cannot be said to be ‘out of all proportion’.'
Abuse in care trial aborted for former staff at South Auckland boys’ home after one day
Allegations included sexual abuse, physical abuse and forced fights between children.
Disturbing abuse claims surface in South Auckland boys' home trial
The Crown has alleged graphic sexual and physical violence.
Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman files appeal after shoplifting conviction
She was convicted in June for a $9000 shoplifting spree.
'Life of nightmares': Crip jailed after terrifying bar robbery, prison escape and inmate stabbing
An employee of the bar had a pistol held to her head as she opened the cash-filled safe.
Eight years after shooting man in the gut, killer returned to prison on gun charge
'I hope when you dream you see his ghost,' the victim's father once told Bodi McKee.
Morbidly obese fraudster tries to use his weight to avoid jail for immigration scam
He previously stole the identities of dead babies, then used obesity to his advantage.
Home detention for Auckland rugby player whose partner died during kidnapping
“I thought a grown man would run out of tears by now,” the victim's father said.
Woman accused of fatal car theft named at first court appearance for murder, but not co-defendant
It appears a man found dead on Pt England Rd had been run over by his own vehicle.
Transgender refugee seeks to overturn conviction for Posie Parker tomato juice assault
Pharmacist Eli Rubashkyn says she lost her job due to the high-profile incident.
Drill to the knee: Nightclub bottom smack allegation results in kidnap, torture
The victim was taken to a gang-affiliated home before he was stripped naked and attacked.
Pauline Hanna's GP, scrutinised at Polkinghorne murder trial, keeps name secret for now
Justice Lang: "Public may think her actions fell below standards if name revealed."
Fugitive jailed for 'gratuitous, shameful' attack that left 90yo man permanently disabled
The elderly victim was strangled from behind and savagely beaten in his own home.
'He has to be smoked': How a fragile gang war truce was nearly shattered by a prison-ordered hit
After weeks of chaos causing a political stir, there was peace. But not all were on board.
Philip Polkinghorne trial timeline: Nine weeks that gripped the nation
The Auckland eye surgeon was accused of killing wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
‘Let Pauline rest in peace’: Polkinghorne found not guilty of murdering wife
The Crown said the Remuera surgeon strangled his wife. The defence said it was suicide.
Sex, drugs and despair: Inside the Polkinghorne murder trial, which gripped the nation
The eye surgeon's eight-week murder trial was based on circumstantial evidence.
Revealed: Jury's question to judge in Polkinghorne murder trial
The jury will return to court at 11am.
Polkinghorne murder trial: Jury sent home, deliberations to resume next week
The former eye surgeon sobbed in court this morning as his 111 call was played.
Polkinghorne sobs before jury retires to consider verdict after 52 days
The former eye surgeon sobbed in court this morning as his 111 call was played.
Jury will deliberate Polkinghorne verdict tomorrow: 'Don’t allow emotion, sympathy or prejudice guide'
Justice Graham Lang told the jury to focus on the facts.
Polkinghorne trial: Judge sends jury home as verdict deliberations begin tomorrow
The eye surgeon is accused of strangling wife Pauline Hanna then staging a suicide.
Jury in Polkinghorne murder trial expected to begin deciding verdict today
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne's bulk meth purchases, 'strangulation' search not unusual, defence argues
Accusations the eye surgeon staged a suicide are 'murder mystery' fantasy: defence.
Jury in Polkinghorne murder trial expected to begin deciding verdict tomorrow
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
'Murder mystery' Crown case in Polkinghorne killing relies on a 'phantom', defence says
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Surgeon's life became 'aggressively shambolic' with sex, spending and violence prior to wife's murder - Crown
The eye surgeon is accused of murdering wife Pauline Hanna, staging a suicide.
'Increased libido': Polkinghorne's high sex drive sign of serious P habit, Crown alleges
The surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna before staging a suicide.
'Unmasks the murderer': Crown lays out case for Polkinghorne's guilt in closing address
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
After seven weeks and 80 witnesses, evidence concludes in Polkinghorne murder trial
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne murder trial: Most suicides don't leave notes - defence
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne trial: 'Vicious circle' of sleep deprivation may have upped suicide risk, expert says
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Hanna had 'whole array' of suicide risk factors the night of her death: defence psychiatrist
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Phone logs scrutinised from day of Pauline Hanna's death
Questions continue over whether two messages were drafted in the hours before her death.
Deja vu for jurors at Polkinghorne murder trial as familiar faces return to witness box
The jury was reduced to 11 as today's hearing ended.
Polkinghorne trial: Juror discharged for personal reason
The Remuera eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Fifth man pleads not guilty to murder of patched Head Hunter, one year after fatal gang brawl
His first court appearance comes more than a year after that of his four co-defendants.
'Want desperately to tell someone': Shock Pauline Hanna email unearthed
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna.
'Had to tell someone': Polkinghorne sobs as wife's private messages read in court
The Auckland surgeon is accused of strangling wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne trial: Defence pathologist says lack of injuries in strangling victims rare
The Remuera eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
'100-fold' suicide risk v surprise sleep attack: Duelling theories emerge at Polkinghorne trial
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having murdered wife Pauline Hanna.
Auckland socialite Pebbles Hooper convicted over posting sex video to OnlyFans
She was found guilty after a judge-alone trial last year.
Crown says Polkinghorne's head wound was from wife's fingernail during struggle
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna. He says it was suicide.
Pathologist says he would have ruled death a suicide; trial to continue for another week
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Argument over missing Nintendo console sparks fatal stabbing attack of mum
Father killed his ex-partner at an Auckland property one year ago this month.
Condition of Pauline Hanna’s body consistent with hanging, not strangulation - pathologist
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna then staging a suicide.
'Pretty grim stuff': Veteran pathologist gives evidence in Polkinghorne trial
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Jurors at Philip Polkinghorne murder trial view suppressed suicide research
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Engineer who conducted simulation of alleged suicide method gives evidence at murder trial
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne considered selling Remuera home: Accountant
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Alibi or evidence tampering? Polkinghorne blood stain scrutinised at murder trial
The surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Power expert says washing machine didn't run morning of Hanna's death
Auckland surgeon Philip Polkinghorne is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne's investment adviser tells of eye surgeon's $2.2m portfolio
He had invested into Apple, Amazon and other large multinationals.
Prefect and deputy head boy turned corrupt baggage handler sentenced for major meth scheme
The organised criminal group wanted to smuggle 500kg of meth through Auckland Airport.